hee saieth that they are subdued vnder hope namelie of restoration to that excellent estate that they had by creation Question Proceede to your second place of proofe Answere Whome the Heauens must conteine vntill the time that all things bee restored which God had spoke by the mouth of all the holy Prophets since the world began Actes 3.21 Question What gather you by these words Answere That al things shal be restored to an excellent perfection and therfore S. Peter calleth the day of Iudgement the day of restoring of al things which could not be attributed vnto that day vnlesse that there should be a restoration of them Question To what end or what vses shall they serue after the day of Iudgement Answere That is a wicked curiositie to search after those things which God hath not reuealed vnto vs let vs therefore say with Moses The secret things belong vnto the Lord our GOD and the things reuealed vnto vs and our children for euer that we may doo all the words of this Lawe Deu. 29.29 and so auoide likewise such vaine questions as these whether they shall be perpetuall or not perpetuall for vses or not for vses for they breed but strife and meere babling 1. Tim. 1.4 5 6 7. Titus 3.9 Question What is the vse of this point Answere First how all things were created of God most perfect and good at the first and he therfore holy and iust in his works Psalm 145.10 11. Deut. 32.4 Secondly how our sinne was the ruine and confusion of the perfection and excellencie of the creatures in their first creation so that hereby we may see how horrible and filthie a thing sinne is and therefore so much the more to hate the same Gene. 4.11 12. Ephe. 2.2 3. Col. 3.1 2 3 4. Thirdly the iustice of GOD in punishing sin and therfore we ought to kil and flie from the same as the only enemy of our health and saluation Psal 5.4 5 6. Co. 3.5 6. Ro. 6.23 Fourthly how all things in Christ shall bee restored to health and the former excellencie but man to a greater excellencie and more perfect happines than at the first Rom. 8.14 to 26. Question As wee haue hetherto intreated generallie of the creation of the world with all things therein so now more particularlie let vs come to the making and creating of man the which is the second point and tell me what order thou wilt keepe herein Answere First who made man Secondly whereof he consisteth Thirdly of his excellencie in his first creation Fourthly of his fall Fiftly how wee come to the knowledge thereof and our sinnes Sixtly of the vses of the lawe and good workes Question Who made man Answere God Question What things may we consider in God in the creation of man Answere First his wisdome Psalm 104.24 Secondly his power Thirdly his goodnes Psalm 8. Question Let vs come to the second thing What is man and whereof dooth he consist Answere Man is an excellent and reasonable creature created after the image of God his creator consisting of two partes Gene. 1.26 27. First a soule Gene. 2.7 Second a bodie Eccle. 12.7 Question What is the bodie Answere A wonderfull Creature of the workemanship of God framed out of the dust of the earth and of a notable proportion in euerie parte made vpright to looke vpward alwaies to God his maker Gene. 3.19 Question Although the bodie bee of the dust of the earth is it not yet more excellent than all other creatures that were made of the earth Answere Yes verelie and that first in respect of the time of his creation Secondly of the forme of his creation Thirdly of the end of his creation Fourthly of the person of the Sonne Question 1 How in the time of his creation Answere When the Lorde made man hee first tooke counsell of his wisdome and power and deliberated on the matter but when he made all other creatures before hee made man hee saide let it be done and it was done presentlie not taking such deliberation on their Creation although his wisdome power and glorie may bée seene in them Gen. 1.26 Roma 1.20 21. and 11.36 Question 2 How informe of his creation Answere God made all other creatures to go groueling on the earth and to looke downeward but he made man a streight bodie to go vpright and alway to looke vp into Heauen and so to consider of his Creator also he hath planted a certaine Maiestie in the face of man to the terror of all other creatures Gene. 1.28 29. Question 3 How in the end of his creation Answere First in glorifying GOD in holy words and also in good workes Ephesians 4.29 30. Matth. 5.16 Secondly in respect of the redemption of the bodie thorough Christ to be the childe of God and heire of eternall life and saluation Ro. 18.7 Thirdly to bee the temple of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 Question 4. How in the person of the Sonne Answere In that Christ the sonne of God hath onely communicated with man in taking to himselfe mans nature Heb. 2.16 Rom. 1.3 Question What hath man to consider in that his body is made of the earth and aduanced to such glorie Answere First it beateth downe all pride Iere. 22.29 Secondly his brittlenes is shewed therin Isay 40.6 7 8. Iob. 14.1 2. Thirdly it teacheth man to consider his excellencie in Christ and not to defile in sinne and vncleanenes of life his bodie 1. Cor. 6.15 to the end 2. Cor. 6.14 to the end Question What is the soule Answere It is an immortall and spirituall substance created of GOD and infused into the bodie which quickneth and giueth life thereunto and of it selfe neuer dieth Eccle. 12.7 Iob. 10.12 Matth. 10.28 Reue. 6.9 10 11. Question What are the powers of the soule Answere Principallie two First reason Esay 29.9 1. Thes 5.23 Secondly will Heb. 4.12 Question Are they perfect in vs Answere No but most imperfect Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 Matth. 15.19 20. Rom. 8.7 1. Cor. 2.24 Question Were they so created in vs Answere No but we got corruption by the fall of our first parents Adam and Eue. Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Cor. 11.3 Question Thou saiest that the soule is a spirituall substance but there are some that doo affirme it is but a motion other some to bee a vanishing breath Answere The Scripture teacheth the contrarie for First God is called the father of the spirits Heb. 12.9 Secondly Christ is called the pastour of soules 1. Pet. 2.25 Now if these sentences shal be applied to motions and a vanishing breath thereby to make God a Father and Christ a Pastour of a thing of naught it were most wicked and absurde Thirdly the soule is subiect to torments and capable of ioy in this world and in the life to come which things cannot be applied to motions and a vanishing breath Luk. 16.24 25. Fourthly it shoulde than followe so many motions and breathes seeing
they haue no being so many soules Question In the definition it is said that it neuer dieth but alwaies liueth and is immortall but there are some that affirme that it sleepeth other some that it dieth with the bodie Answere That it neither sleepeth nor yet dieth but that it alwaies liueth and is immortall and that either it goeth vnto blisse or miserie presentlie after the seperation of the body proued Eccl. 12.7 Mat. 22.31 Luk. 16.24 25. Reu. 6.9 10 11. Question Also it is said in the definition that it is created of God and by him infused into the bodie but there are some that hold that the soule begetteth the soule Answere First these testimonies of holy Scripture do sufficiently prooue that they are created of God and powred by him into the bodie Eccles 22.7 Psal 33.15 Iob. 10.9 10 11 12. Secondly it is against the nature of a being to be deuided and parted Thirdly to say that a soule hath seed generation is a hard and strange kind of diuinity Question The Apostle Paule diuideth man into three parts the spirit the soule and the bodie so that hee seemeth to make the spirit one thing and the soule another how is it then that you diuide man into two partes the soule and bodie 1. Thes 5.23 Answere The Apostle diuideth the soule into two partes the first is reason and vnderstanding which he calleth the spirit the second is wil and affection which he calleth the soule so that the spirit is not a seuerall substance but the soule spirit are one euen as the bodie and flesh are one Question Now let vs come vnto the third point as thou hast shewed that God made man so tel me did he make him perfect and free from all sinne Answere Yea for it is said that God did make him in the image of God Gene. 1.27 Eccles 7.31 Question In that Moses bringeth foorth God speaking after this manner let vs make man in our image did he speak vnto Angels or the earth Answere No verely neither to the one nor to the other for First what fit counseller is the earth which is a dead Element Secondly to ascribe such a notable worke as the creation of man or the least part therof vnto Angels is blasphemie against God Thirdly it is not said that man was created after the image of earth or Angels but in the image of God Question What is the true meaning of the words Answere God in that place speaketh vnto his wisdome and power shewing thereby what a notable creature man should bee also it is a notable place to proue the Trinitie of the persons Question Doth Moses make any difference betweene Image and likenes in that hee rehearseth them both Answere No verely for by it Moses repeateth one thing with many words to make the same more plaine and driue the same more deeply into our hearts Also in the 27. verse he nameth only the word Image finally in the fift chapter the word similitude he onely vseth and maketh no mention of the word Image Question Was that the image of God in respect of mans fourme or substance either in soule or bodie Answere No for God hath no such forme nor substance for he is neither flesh blood nor bone and although a spiritual essence yet infinite vncreated and incomprehensible 1. Reg. 8.27 Iob. 11.7 8. and 26.6 to the ende Esay 40.12 13. Rom. 11.33 Question Yea but the Scriptures doo attribute head eyes eares mouth armes and such like thinges vnto God Psalme 34.15 16. Luke 1.51 Answere It is true but these things are spoken for our weaknes not that God hath such things as are attributed vnto him but by these things God dooth teach vs and instruct vs further in his holie and vnsearchable mysteries and because we are too earthlie minded therefore hee by these things doth lift vs vp to more excellent things otherwise God is a spirite inuisible infinit and incomprehensible Question Also the Scriptures doo say that he breathed into him the breath of life and so made of him a liuing soule This breath was of the substance of God so the soule is a part of God and therefore his image Answere It is blasphemie so to affirme for the soule was created of God as the words maketh manifest if it had been part of the Creator then it could not haue been created and what is this but to make God subiect to errors sinne blasphemies afflictions and terrors yea hell it selfe and the diuell for the soule of man hath been subiect to these things euer since the fall of Adam Eua. Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 1. Sam. 15.29 Eph. 2.2 3. Question Is it said that man was created in the image of God because Christ should come who is the image of God Answere No for Moses speaketh of the present time when God made man Again what is this but to say that man is an image of his image and also that Christ should be an image of himselfe and of the holie spirite which thing is absurd a lying doctrine of diuels Gen. 1.26 27. Question How vnderstand you these words of the Apostle in Coloss 1.15 Who is the image of the inuisible God the first borne of euerie creature Answere Those words doo nothing belong to the prouing of the former absurdities but the Apostle telleth vs that God sheweth himselfe to be séene in his sonne Christ not in that he had flesh head armes eies c. but in his mercie wisedome goodnes and righteousnes for otherwise God in his naked Maiestie is inuisible incomprehensible and by these words is proued against Arms the coessence and consubstantialitie of the Sonne with the Father Question There are some that holde that the image of God was in man in respect of rule ouer the creatures Answere Their iudgement is not right for although the image of God did shine in some part yet this is not Moses meaning when he saith that man was created in the image of God if it were Adam should be created vnto one image and we restored into another Question There are others that doo affirme that the image of God is in the soule in respect of the immortalitie but as for true righteousnes holinesse wisedome c. they are but the properties of God and not his image and therefore man is not said to be the image of GOD herein Answere They herein are greatly deceiued for First if it be onely the immortalitie of the soule then Adam hath lost the same for he by his Apostacie lost the image of God Secondly if it be the onely image of God wherein Adam was created then is it not the same image wherein all true Christians are nowe created as the Apostle sheweth which is true righteousnesse and holinesse a thing too too absurd Eph. 4.24 Thirdly by this it should folow that God hath 2. images which wer great blasphemy Fourthly herein the lie is giuen to the holie Ghost for he plainly
his Father from euerlasting to redeeme his elect people was when the fulnesse of time was come borne of a Virgin and became man of his mother without a father by whom we are saued Psalm 2.7 Hebr. 1.5 Iohn 1.14 18. Col. 1.16 17. Reuela 13.8 1. Peter 1.19 20. Galath 4.4 5. Luke 1.26 27 30 31. Luke 2.6 7. Question What is the Holie Ghost Answere The Holie Ghost is the essentiall power and vertue both of the Father and the Sonne eternall and consubstantiall with them in whome he resteth and abideth and from whom he proceedeth By him are we grafted into the bodie of Christ and sanctified and sealed vp to saluation Iohn 15.26 Luk. 11.20 Gen. 1.2 1. cor 12.13 14. Tit. 3.5 Question In that thou saiest there is God the Father God the Sonne and God the Holie Ghost what doost thou els but make three Gods Answere No not so for God is one in essence and simple in nature although thrée Persons distinguished out of the same Beeing of Beeings Deuter. 6.4 1. Corinth 8.6 Ephesians 4.5 6. 1. Iohn 5.7 Question How proue you this distinction of the three Persons in the one Godhead Answere This maye bee prooued most plainelie and firmlie by these places of Scripture Matthew 3.16 17. and 28.19 1. Iohn 5.7 Romanes 8.9 Question Are they three seuerall substances in that they are three distinct persons Answere No for I haue alreadie said that they are but one imcomprehensible infinite inuisible and vndeuidable substance and yet three Persons Question How are they three Persons Answere In respect of their properties and not in diuiding their nature but in distinguishing their properties Question What are their properties Answere We attribute to God the father our Creation to God the sonne our redemption and to God the holie Ghost our sanctification to the father the thing done to the Sonne the wisedome whereby it is done to the Holie Ghost the effects of the thing done Genes 2.7 Titus 2.14 1. Peter 1.2 Actes 14.15 Prouerbes 8.22 to 32. Question What things are proper to the Father alone that agree neither to the Sonne nor to the holie Ghost Answere This the begetting of the Sonne for which cause he is called the Father and fountaine of the Trinitie Iohn 3.16 1. Cor. 8.6 Iohn 16.28 and 15.26 Question What is giuen to the Sonne that is not likewise giuen to the Father nor to the Holie Ghost Answere To be begotten for which cause he is called the Sonne and seconde person in the Godhead as also that he is the Fathers word Hebrewes 2.5 1. Iohn 4.9 Matthew 28.19 Iohn 1.1 Question What is proper to the Holie Ghost that is not likewise giuen to the Father nor to the Sonne Answere To be proceeding from the Father and the Sonne and to be the third person in Trinitie Rom. 8.9 Matth. 28.19 Question Then Iesus Christ was not created in that he was the Sonne of God Answere No verelie but begotten from euerlasting and without beginning Also in that he is God he is the Creator and not a creature for by him all things were made Reuelat. 1.8 Mich. 5.2 Iohn 17.5 Iohn 1.1 2 3 4 5. Coloss 1.16 17. Question Was Iesus Christ created in that hee is man Answere Yea hee was created of God without the helpe of man onely by the worke and operation of the holie Ghost in the wombe of the virgin Marie Matth. 1.20 Luke 1.35 Galath 4.4 Question In that thou giuest Iesus Christ two Natures what dooest thou else but make two Christs Answere No Although we say that in Christ there be two natures as diuine and humane yet we make not two Christes nor two persons but one person and one Christ consisting of two natures Matth. 1.21 23. Rom. 1.3 4. Luke 1.43 Rom. 9.5 Question Is Iesus Christ as he is man the Sonne of God Answere No verelie not in that hee is man but in that he is God and he is the Sonne of man and so called in that he is man Luke 1.35 Matth. 26.64 Question Yet there is but one Sonne of God as there is but one Christ Answere It is most true There is not one eternall and naturall and another created and adopted but that onelie eternal Sonne of God who sustaineth vpholdeth the nature vnited to himselfe Yet must we note that we call the person of Christ the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh 2. Tim. 3.16 Question Then is it thy meaning that the humane nature of Christ is a person Answere No for Christes humane Nature was neuer extant or had beeing but in the Godhead wherefore the humane nature in Christ is not a Person but the humanitie subsisteth and hath his being in the person of the Word and therefore Christ is not either in imagination or in déede a double Person but one Person consisting of two Natures Iohn 1.14 Question What is the personall vnion Answere It is the taking of mans nature which is susteined and vpholden of the diuine nature that is to say such a taking or vniting that there procéedeth or commeth out of that vniting but one subsistence one beeing onely in which subsistence that diuine nature that is to saye the person of the Word beareth swaie and ruleth 1. Ioh. 1.1 2 3. Rom. 1.3 4. Question Yea but he is also called the Sonne of God in that he is God and man Answere It is true but not naturallie in respect of his manhood but by reason of the Personall vnion with his diuine nature Question Proceede vnto the Holie Ghost and tell me is he created or begotten Answere Neither but proceeding from the Father and the Sonne of the same substance and beeing with them equall with the Father and the Sonne in glorie and maiestie and from all eternities as in the definition it was shewed Question Yea but it shoulde seeme that the Father should be greater than the Sonne the Sonne greater than the holie Ghost because the one is placed before the other Answere Not so For although the Father is put before the Sonne in order and the Father and the Sonne before the Holie Ghost yet it is not because the one is greater than the other or more excellent than the other but because the Sonne was begotten of the Father and the Holie Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne Otherwise we shall read first how the Sonne is put before the Father 2. Cor. 13. And also how the Spirit is put in the first place 1. Corinth 12. Whereby we may note that the order of names doth not make difference of dignities Secondlie they be one in essence and substance 1. Iohn 5.7 Thirdly that which is giuen to the one is giuen to the other in giftes and working Iohn 5.21.26.27 1. Cor. 12.4 to 12. Question Then there is but one nature of God Answere It is most true and that vncorrupt infinite vnbegotten neither diuided by place nor included in anie place nor secluded out of anie place nor defiled by person or
where and against whome it shall please them Answere No verely for it is the Lord onely that hath power of these things for they are in his treasure house and at his beck and commandement either to defend and preserue his people or to punish and destroy the wicked and reprobate Psal 104.4 Exod. 9.23 24 25 26. Question It is written in Iob that the deuill did cause Lightnings and raised vp winds Iob. 1.16 19. Answere It is true but it was Gods permission for when as God worketh by sathan and vseth his seruice the diuell worketh by the lightnings and windes and that by the iust iudgement of God to deceiue and harden the hearts of the people because they will not beleeue and receaue the truth also herein a notable crafte of satan may be seen in that he conueyeth himself into winds and tempests therby to make the world beléeue he is the author thereof otherwise God is the author of all windes tempest and lightnings as we haue already prooued 2. Thes 2.10.11.12 Question What saiest thou of the inchanters of Egipt which did great wonders merueilous things Answere If the sequell of their actions and their confessions be marked we shal see that neither they themselues nor their great master satan can do more than God doth giue them leaue Question Why what maketh thee so to say Answere The knowledge of these things that First they could not turne the dust into lice as Moses did but confessed that it was the power of God Exod. 8.17 18 19. Secondly they could not stand before Moses the seruant of God Thirdly whē they had done their false miracles in shewe they could not vndo them againe Ezod 7.21 to the end and 8 7 8. Fourthly neither could they vndo the true and powerfull miracles of Moses but Moses himself was faine with praier to vndo them Exod. 8.12 13. c. Question Why could not these inchāters turne the dust into lice as wel as to turn their rods into serpents the riuers into bloud and to bring forth froggs it being a base thing in comparison of the other Answere First in that they did the former things it was by permission of God to harden the heart of Pharao and to deceiue him with his people that they might not let Israell goe without the mightie hand of God to their own destruction Exod. 9.16 Rom. 9.17 Secondly that the power of God in their destruction might be made knowne and manifest vnto the whole world and his faithfulnes might be declared vnto all ages Gene. 15.13 14 15 16. Mica 5.3 4 5. Thirdly that God might after a while in suffering them to doo great miracles in shew confounde their wisdomes in base and vile things that the world might see the falsehood wickednes of inchanters sorcerers Mal. 3.5 Question What think you of this opiniō that the deuil inchanters haue no power vpon that bodie or substance which is lesse than a barley come Answere I think the same to be most vaine and cleane against reason for if they haue power ouer great things they haue also power ouer small things but not the contrarie as because they haue power ouer small things therefore they haue power ouer great things but in that they could not haue power ouer the dust to make lice it was because neither the diuell nor his instruments haue power of themselues to do any thing more than the will of God dooth permit and suffer Question In thy proofe of the definition of Gods prouidence thou saiest that God ruleth al the actions of men not onely the good but also the euill wherein what els doost thou But make God the author of euill which may not be Answere God forbid we should say that God were the author of sinne for there is no euill with him neither yet loueth he wickednes Psalm 5.4 for perfect is the worke of almightie God for al his waies are iudgement God is true without wickednes iust and righteous is he Deut. 42.4 Question Why then what dost thou meane when thou saiest that God ruleth the euil actions of men Answere We say that sathan and our flesh are the authors of sinne but yet on the other side wee affirme according to the Scriptures that euen sathan and the wicked are so bridled and ruled by the power and prouidence of God that they doo not nay cannot doo that euill when where and against whom they would for they all shal come to naught and to ruin but what the Lords will appointment is that cōmeth to passe whose will they execute in their wicked doings Iob. 1. Gene. 50.20 1. King 13.4 2. Sam. 17.14 23. Question Why then God is the author of their sinne and they without fault Answere Nay not so but he is most iust and perfect righteous and yet they wicked and vnholy in doing the same Question How so Answere By reason of the diuers ends and purposes Question As how Answere God doth it to set forth his glory to bring forth the malice of his enemies to shew it to all the world that he may be iustified in his righteous and holy iudgements vpon them also to exercise his children by them and such like but the wicked and sathan dooth the same of set malice wilfully presumptuously against God and his saints and not willingly and obediently to satisfie the counsell and purpose of God Question Canst thou giue mee examples out of the Scripture for this matter Where both GOD and the wicked haue delt in the same action so that God is said to haue done that which notwithstanding the wicked do Answere Yea verely as First of Iob who confesseth that his calamities come of the Lord yet Sathan the Sabaeans did worke in this action Iob. 1. Secondly Dauid who confessed that God stirred vp Shimei to curse him yet he did the same by the instigation of Sathan and of a malicious purpose 2. Sam. 16.10 11. Thirdly it is saide that God did stirre vp Dauid to number the people yet it is said in another place that Satan prouoked him 2. Sam. 24.1 1. Chro. 21.1 Fourthly it is said that God sent into the mouthes of the false prophets a lying spirit to deceiue Achab yet we may see both the willingnesse of Sathan to lie and deceiue also how the false prophets did most wilfully and stubbornly mainteine their lying prophecies 1. King 22.21 24. Question What saiest thou to the example of Christ in this thing Answere In this example we may see First how he gaue his son to death Ioh. 3.16 Secōdly how Christ did most willingly giue himselfe to death Ioh. 10.15 13.12 Phil. 2. Thirdly how Iudas his seruant betraied him for money Matth. 26.48 Fourthly how the Scribes Priests Pharisies most gladly gaue money and reioyced therein Luke 22.5 Fiftly how Pilate deliuered him to death for feare Iohn 19.12 13. Sixtly how satan sought the same brought it to passe by his instruments Iohn